Schools and teachers across the Limestone District School Board are working to enhance and support the experience of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, and highlight Indigenous knowledge and teachings for all students.

While Indigenous perspectives are becoming embedded into everyday teaching and learning, several special events are planned for June, designated as Indigenous Peoples History Month. National Indigenous Peoples History Month is a time to acknowledge the role Indigenous Peoples play and have played in the development of Canada, to honour Indigenous heritage and to celebrate Indigenous cultures.

First Nations, Métis and Inuit students in Grades 5 to 7 will gather at Gould Lake Outdoor Centre on June 5, 6, 7 for an Indigenous Student Leadership Camp where they will engage in land-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and cultural teachings. Local Traditional Knowledge Keepers Elias George, Mandy Smart and Crystal Loft will facilitate teachings involving Creation Stories, traditional medicines, fire making, water teachings and plant stories.  Representatives from  Queen’s’ Aboriginal Access to Engineering will be facilitating STEM based teachings, including the construction of a beaver dam, the making of a plantain salve and edible aquifer.

Work continues on the assembly of a traditional tipi at Gould Lake Conservation Area. Students from The River Program, for self-identified Indigenous students, have been working with Indigenous Elders to paint and construct a tipi to be used for learning at the outdoor centre. The tipi will be used as a starting points for learning about the land and Indigenous cultures such as the Medicine Circle, Seven Grandfather Teachings, Clan animals, Creation Stories, Wampum Belts, the Métis Sash and Inuit Inukshuk.

Earlier this month, students from Marysville Public School, Rideau Heights Public School and the Katarokwi Learning Centre joined the Three Sisters teachings and planting workshop, led by Knowledge Keepers at the Wolfe Island Community Garden. Together, the group danced, sang songs and planted Three Sisters garden beds before joining together for a picnic lunch.

In collaboration with the Métis Nation of Ontario, the Board also recently introduced the Indigenous Family Network as an opportunity for Indigenous students and their families to participate in cultural activities, connect with other Indigenous families to find each other and create a space for conversations about what they and their children need. 

Check out other recent initiatives in the June edition of LDSB’s Indigenous Education Newsletter.